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23  WEST  MAUN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 

1980 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


^, 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mdthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 


D 


Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 


D 


Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommag^e 


D 


Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag^es 


D 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pellicul6e 


n 


Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pelliculdes 


D 


Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


D 


Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  d6color6es,  tachetdes  ou  piqudes 


D 
D 
D 


D 


Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 


D 
D 


Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d^tachdes 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


□    Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  indgale  de  {'impression 

□    Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 


D 


D 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have, been  emitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  dtait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmdes. 


D 


Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


pn/^ages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
I  \A   slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  dt6  film^es  d  nouveau  de  fapon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


D 


Additional  commenvs:/ 
Commentaires  suppl6mentaires: 


I — V  This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

I  \A    Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

y 

i9y 

1BX 

2[X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Library  of  the  Public 
Archives  of  Canada 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grfice  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

La  bibliothdque  des  Archives 
publiques  du  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformit6  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprim6e  sont  film^s  en  commen9ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmds  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  -^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — »-  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmds  i  dos  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliuhd,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  miVthode. 


1 

2 

3 

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1759-1883. 


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O  R  A  T  I O  N 


A 'J'   THE 


Dedication  of  the  Site 


OF   TME 


^rt    Schuyler    Monument, 


ft  f«»  Jl-PfWCR*  Of    tHB  (JMSIDA  HtSTOHICAl.  SOOIBTYj 


4fn  r  Mh,  .isas. 


Wf 


tSAAC    S.    HARTLEY,    B.  T). 


,    i'lttS-'KIW.  (SO  Okmihek  RTHK»rr. 


")?>■ 


IJl/l 


ORATION 


AT   THE 


Dedication  of  the  Site 


OP   THE 


Fort    Schuyler    Monument, 


(Undeh  the  Auspices  of  the  Oneida  Historical  Societv,) 


JULY    4th,    1883. 


ISAAC    S.   HARTLEY,    D.   D. 


(JTICA,  N.  Y. 

EtAAS  M.   UOBEUTS  &  CO.,    PlUNTGitS,  60   GEKESKE  STREET. 

16M. 


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FORT  SCHUYLER  IN  HISTORY. 


BY    REV.    DR.    ISAAC    8.    HARTLEY. 


Jl/r.  Pi'esident,  Friends  and  Felloxc- Citizens: 

Beneath  these  genial  skies  and  uniitl  an  atmosphere  fairly  laden 
with  the  music  of  freedom  and  joy,  and  on  a  day  when  as  a  people 
we  took  our  place  among  the  distinct  nationalities  of  the  world, 
we  have  here  assembled  to  mark  a  spot  pre-eminently  historic  to 
us,  the  citizens  of  this  emerald  c..^ . 

There  have  been  periods  in  our  history  when,  laying  aside  our 
usual  avocations,  we  have  been  called  together  to  consider  ques- 
tions bearing  upon  our  national  polity  and  life.  And  there  have 
been  seasons  when,  awakened  by  the  din  of  war  and  the  clash  of 
arms,  we  have  convened  to  arouse,  enlist  and  equip  brave  hearts 
and  strong  arms  for  the  conflict.  Hut  at  this  hour,  though  drums 
beat,  bugles  sound,  flags  wave  and  the  measured  tread  of  soldiers 
in  martial  array  is  heard  in  our  midst,  we  liave  come  to  rescue 
from  threatened  oblivion  the  humble  site,  around  which  more  than 
a  century  ago  our  fathers  gathered,  and  from  whence  they  sallied 
forth  to  glorious  victory. 

America,  rich  in  fertile  valleys  and  noble  streams,  lias  none, 
however,  more  historic  than  those  which  these  wooded  hills  garrison, 
and  where  flow  yon  rapid  rippling  waters.  The  great  Roman 
orator  tells  us  that,  when  he  was  at  Athens,  he  could  scarcely  move 
without  meeting  some  record  commemorative  of  illustrious  deeds 
or  of  illustrious  men.  The  thundering  eloquence  of  Demosthenes 
and  the  divine  ethics  of  Plato  were  floating  in  the  air.  So  here; 
every  field,  every  forest,  every  acre  and  yon  waters  suggest  mem- 
ories dear  to  every  freeman's  heart,  and  such  as  all  true  Americans 
should  delight  ever  to  recall. 

From  the  time  in  which  it  was  known  that  this  beautiful  valley 
led  to  the  great  lakes  and  the  extensive  prairies  of  the  west,  it  has 
been  the  avenue  along  which  the  most  valiant  forces  have  moved, 
as  well  as  the  scene  for  struggles  bitter,  persistent  and  sanguinary. 
True,  those  of  the  whites  who  were  the  first  to  thread  it  from  the 
east  were  our  own  Dutch  forefathers,  and  like  their  fathers  were 
in  quest  of  the  trade  which  made  them  the  most  successful  mer- 


.^^■^Vi....7'.n,:^-:r-;--,:  .  ii-rr.^'  .   , 


! 


chants  in  tho  world ;  wliilo  those  wlio  passed  in  from  tlio  west  were 
the  missionaries  of  the  (M'oss,  who,  as  they  followed  its  {jjrassy 
level,  held  hiijjh  in  air  the  synihol  of  tlieir  faith.  But  thouij;!!  tho 
cross  and  eominere-e  so  early  entt'red  its  verdant  tjales,  only  a  few 
years  passed  ere  it  witnessed  seenes,  than  wliieh  the  pasjjes  of  iiis- 
tory  nowhere  record  any  more  terrible  or  severe.  Here  it  was 
where  the  Five  Nations  made  their  home,  whose  'i\'kawlio«j;ea,  or 
war  eaptain,  was  always  of  the  Mohawks.  First,  these  eonfeder- 
ate  tribes  were  in  league  for  the  preservation  of  their  own  cabins 
and  hunting  groi'nds.  Later,  when  strengthened  by  the  addition 
of  the  Tusearor.  they  formed  an  alliance  with  tho  Dutch.  Still 
later,  they  became  wedded  to  the  Knglish;  later  still,  they  were 
friends  of  the  white  man  of  every  nationality. 

For  more  than  a  century  tlu^  grand  problem  that  was  ever  j»re- 
senting  itself  to  the  more  aggressiv<>  nations  of  Kuro[)e  was,  shall 
the  vast  area  of  the  Iroquois  become  a  dependence;  or  shall  tho 
red  man  retain  his  native  fields  and  remain  the  sole  monarch  of 
the  western  world?  The  atteTn])ts  to  solve  this  far-reaching 
problem  have  made  this  valley  most  historic,  antl  gave  to  its  early 
people  the  name  of  "The  IJomans  of  America,"  while  it  led  the 
Spartans  of  classic  Greece  to  be  called  "The  Mohawks  of  the  Old 
World." 

It  does  not  eomi)ort  witli  the  exercises  of  the  hour  that  I  should 
sketdi,  even  rudely,  (he  events  of  wliich  the  acreage  about  us  is 
so  suggestive,  and  whi('h  these  hills  once  looked  down  upon  in 
silent  awe.  Wt,  who  in  this  assembly  that  knows  where  he  stands 
can  fall  to  recall  the  associations  so  surely  connected  with  the  spot, 
aside  from  the  fact  that  works  were  hero  erected  for  safety  an<l 
defense.  Over  the  very  area  whercjon  we  are  now  gathered  lay 
the  only  frecpientcd  road  through  this  part  of  tlu^  valley.  Some 
two  centuries  ago  could  we  have  looki'il  down  upon  this  very 
locality,  as  did  the  eagle  from  his  secluded  nest,  we  migl. ,  have 
soon  Father  lorpies  with  his  associate  bretlren  in  quest  of  the  wig- 
wams of  the  Mohawks,  to  ac(piaint  their  dusky  tenants  with  tho 
story  of  the  cross;  and  a  little  later,  mlssionarie!  from  our  own 
Dutch  church  at  Albany  desiring  an  ac<piaintaiice  with  the  western 
tribes  contemplating  their  mental  and  spiritual  tnprovement.  In- 
deed, anterior  to  this,  an  Indian  delegation  went  eastward  asking 
from  their  .Albanian  friends  to  be  (aught  anew  the  Christian 
truths,  that  by  dying  in  the  (christian  faith,  they  might  obtain  the 
Christian  reward.  We  might  have  seen  likewise  the  brave  chiefs 
of  the  Irotniois  as  they  lourneye.l — now  for  a  national  council — 


5 


now  to  carry  to  tlioir  captors  new  tokens  of  their  fidelity  and 
allegia!ice.  In  truth,  no  warrior,  no  sohlier,  in  war  or  in  peace,  no 
itinerant,  no  discoverer,  nor  army  of  any  nationality  conUl  move 
to  the  rijj;ht  or  left  without  pas^sing  the  field  about  us,  and  thus 
the  site  we  would  this  day  perpetuate.  It  was  the  luiturul  and 
traditional  path.  The  orij^inal  Irail  from  the  brambles  and  bushes 
of  the  Mohawk  here  terminated,  and  also  the  trail  whic-h  Wd  from 
the  his/her  grounds  and  the  thicker  forests  at  the  west. 

Referring  to  the  topographical  features  of  our  innnediiUe  neigh- 
borhood, in  early  days,  two  trails  or  paths  lay  on  either  side  of  the 
river;  one  leading  to  Fort  William  at  tlie  west,  the  other  to  a 
route  by  the  wooded  banks  of  the  Black  Uiver  and  thence  to 
Canada.  Along  this  latter  trail  the  French  traveled  in  their  over- 
land incursit)i,s  aimed  at  the  expulsion  of  the  s"ttlers  on  our 
northwestern  frontiers.  As  it  branched  off  some  ten  miles  or  so  to 
the  northwest  towartls  Fort  William,  it  made  a  more  circuitous 
route  to  this  part  of  our  State  than  the  trail  on  the  south  side  of  the 
river;  of  which  our  own  (k'nesee  street,  with  its  numerous  stores  and 
palatial  houses  is  merely  the  development.  A  few  rods  to  the  east 
of  us  a  little  rivulet  Howetl,  and  it  still  fiows  bearing  the  present 
namy  of  Hallou  creek;  or,  as  it  wiis  called  by  our  Dutch  fathers, 
ISchicelii  Fresser  Kill,  making  its  outlet  in  yonder  curve  in  the  broader 
current  of  the  Mohawk;  while  a  hundred  or  more  l'e;'t  to  the  west, 
on  the  north  bank  of  the  river.  Heels  creek  emptied  its  babbling 
■waters.  Insignificant  tributaries  to  the  Mohawk  !  True,  but  in 
their  day  though  secondary  streams  they  had  a  historic  import 
quite  eciuivalent  to  the  early  Tiber,  or  to  the  more  pellucid  current  of 
the  Tagiis.  If  r,h.'  waters  of  the  Adonis  were  esteenu'd  sacred  by 
the  Asiatics,  and  tiie  Phrygians  remlereil  honors  to  the  Marsyasand 
the  Meander,  and  the  concpiering  (Jreek,  previous  to  his  rufHing 
the  surface  of  the  Sinde,  poured  libations  into  it  from  golden  gob- 
lots,  every  lover  of  freedom  should  hold  most  dear  yon  streams  for 
the  services  they  have  rendered  to  Auierican  growth  and  to  Amer- 
ican glory.  The  meeting  of  these  two  humbh'  rivulets,  coming 
down  from  the  cooling  springs  born  in  yonder  hills,  laden  with 
^;'.7id  ami  gravel,  and  entering  the  river  nearly  opposite  each  other, 
made  the  Moliawk  fordable;  a. id  I  need  hardly  say  it  was  the 
fordableness  of  tin;  river  that  constituted  the  place  whore  wc  aro 
now  assembled  the  highway  of  this  valley.  On  the  angle  of  land 
formed  by  tho  south  baidc  of  the  river,  and  the  west  shore  of 
Schwein  Freisor  Kill  the  Fort  was  located,  whose  site  we  this  day 
would  mark.     Consequently  it  {^uarded  not  merely  tho  river  itself, 


H 


6 

which  when  in  repose  reflects  the  evening  star  and  the  blusli  of 
morn,  but  the  tortuous  travel  east  and  west  that  led  to  it.  Its  site 
then  was  most  wisely  chosen.  Its  position  made  it  one  of  the 
gates  of  this  valley,  nor  could  a  friend  or  enemy  pass  seeking  the 
east  by  the  Mohawk,  or  the  west  by  the  double  trail  without  pay- 
ing to  it,  if  demanded,  |)roper  tribute. 

Remembering,  then,  where  we  now  stand,  how  numerous  must 
have  been  the  scenes  to  which  tliis  site  has  been  witness !  But 
when  I  speak  of  the  scenes  with  which  this  place  is  so  surely  con- 
nected, I  have  not  in  mind  so  much  those  in  which  loving  peace  is 
so  often  eloquent,  and  upon  wliich  orators  and  poets  always  delight 
to  lavish,  and  appropriately,  their  loftiest  jiraises,  when 

Buried  was  the  bloody  hatchet— 
Buried  was  the  dreadful  war  club — 
Buried  were  all  war-like  weapons, 
And  tlie  war  cry  was  forgotten — 

rather  am  I  thinking  of  what  Avon's  bard  so  truthfully  described 
as 

"  That  sou  of  hell 
Whom  angry  heavens  do  make  their  minister," 

of  war,  savagery,  slaughter,  rapine,  and  all  that  kindred  terms  so 
naturally  suggest.  It  is  said  that  a  single  mound  remains,  with 
here  and  there  a  ditch,  to  mark  the  ancient  site  of  the  old  city  of 
Verulam.  But  connect  these  debris  of  her  former  greatness  with 
her  history,  and  the  mind  instantly  becomes  moved,  and  deeply. 
Once  she  enjoyed  all  the  rights  of  Roman  citizensliip.  Here  the 
brave  Queen  Boadicea  defended  the  Roman  army.  Here  St.  Alban 
received  his  martyrdom.  Here,  also  Britain  knew  British,  Roman, 
Saxon,  Danish,  Saxon  and  Norman  dynasties.  So  when  I  pause  to 
recall  where  we  are  now  met,  scene  after  scene  passes  before  me  just 
as  great  and  changing.  Indeed,  in  imagination,  I  can  see  the 
moving  to  and  fro  of  Indian  scout,  fired  with  revenge,  learning 
when  and  where  his  inflamed  passions  shall  next  be  given  icheir 
sway.  I  can  see  the  fleeing  of  bleeding,  decimated  and  homeless 
families  hurrying  hither  and  thither,  crimsoning  their  way  with 
blood,  seeking  that  protection  which  civilization  and  only  civiliza- 
tion can  give  and  perpetuate.  I  can  se.'  cruel  hordes  advancing 
from  yonder  marshes  to  scalp,  to  wound,  to  kill ;  and  the  marching 
of  iSnxon  forces  to  check,  to  conquer  and  to  tame.  Nor  is  it  difli- 
oult  to  recall  the  alternate  moving  and  retreating  of  Indians, 
French,  Dutch,  English,  flushed  with  the  hope  of  speedy  victory, 


or  tllsheartened  and  crushed  by  sudden  defeat.  For  the  Caucasian 
knew  this  spot,  as  did  the  lowly  and  cruel  red  man.  No  doubt  it 
has  been  the  passive  observer  of  nuuiy  a  skirmish,  and,  it  may  be, 
bitter  struggle.  And  as  at  yonder  ford  tlie  weaker  rested  to 
bathe,  so  the  stronger  availed  themselves  of  the  pebbled  path  and 
hurrying  over,  sought  victory  beyond. 

Omitting  the  earlier  scenes  with  which  tliis  part  of  our  lovely 
valley  is  fairly  burdened,  let  me  ask;  was  it  not  through  the 
very  lields  whereon  we  stand  that  the  sachems  so  often  passed  for 
their  peculiar  talks  to  the  ancient  place  of  treaties — Albany;  that 
the  adventiiroiis  Bradstreot  crossed  with  bis  nrmament  for  Oswego ; 
and  when  its  Fort  was  com])leted  that  the  motely  brigades  of  Mer- 
cer, Schuyler  and  others  marched  to  occupy  and  defend  it;  and 
that  the  relief  corps  of  Webb  so  sluggishly  journeyed  ?  Indeed 
scarce  had  the  rude  posts  of  the  stockade  settled  in  their  holes  ere 
Prideaux  and  Johnson  reached  yon  ford  with  the  confederate 
troops  of  Now  England  and  New  Jersey  on  their  way  to  Niagara; 
breaking  camp  at  Canajoharie  on  the  19th,  and  journeying  by  this 
site  on  the  oOth  of  June,  The  same  was  true  of  other  commanders, 
and  other  forces  bent  on  kindred  missions.  As  the  tides  rise  and 
fall,  or  flood  and  ebb,  so  have  valorous  hosts  moved  to  and  fro 
before  this  ])lace — now  to  defeat — now  to  victory — now  to  vic- 
tory— now  to  defeat.  In  yonder  meadow  the  gallant  Herkimer 
bivouacked  after  his  glorious  victory  at  Oriskany — that  royal 
struggle  Avhich  turned  the  current  of  the  devolution  and  ended  in 
our  national  birtli.  Beyond  a  doubt  the  lirst  water  that  cooled 
and  cleansed  his  mortal  wound  was  dipped  up  from  yonder  daisied 
bank.  Tlie  wily  St.  Leger  also  would  have  rested  here  had  not 
the  brave  German  assured  him,  by  bullet  messages,  that  the 
longest  way  round  was  the  shortest  way  home.  Here  Arnold 
halted  in  seeking  the  relief  of  Fort  Stanwix. 

Numerous,  very  numerous,  are  the  associations  of  this  place ;  nor 
is  there  an  area  in  all  central  New^  York  abounding  in  memories  of 
men  more  noble,  in  events  more  decisive,  or  in  scenes  more 
thrilling  and  important. 

Referring,  as  I  now  am,  to  some  of  the  event;;;  that  have  made 
this  section  of  our  valley  so  historic,  may  I  add;  few  have  ever 
estimated  the  strategic  importance  of  central  New  York,  and  the 
bearing  its  topography  has  exerted  upon  our  national  destiny.  In 
the  line  of  hills  a  little  to  the  soutli  of  us,  no  less  than  three 
streams  have  their  rise,  wliich  with  our  own  gently  flowing 
Mohawk  and  the  Hudson  command  nearly  one-half  the  e-  'em  area 


8 


of  these  ITniterl  States;  and  by  following  the  course  of  our  streams 
and  valleys  we  can  invade  no  less  than  twenty  States  and  two- 
thirds  of  the  territories  of  the  union.  Streams  form  a  nation's 
natural  defense  and  are  her  proper  highways;  so  have  believed  the 
mighty  conquerors  of  the  past,  and  mucli  later  the  confederates 
in  our  recent  war.  In  no  mean  sense  then,  New  York  State  com- 
mands the  iniion.  Nor  can  there  bo  but  one  government  on  this 
continent  so  long  as  our  rivers,  valleys  and  mountains  remain  as 
now.  The  honored  President  of  this  society,  Horatio  Seymour, 
the  sage  of  Deerfield 

Qui  decori  decus  addit  avuo, 

assures  us  that,  in  company  with  General  Winfield  Scott,  from  an 
elevated  point  near  the  confluence  of  the  Mohawk  and  the  Hudson 
rivers,  he  overlooked  the  range  of  higlilands  which  marked  their 
courses;  and  that  the  hero  of  so  many  battles,  stretching  out  hia 
arm,  remarked  :  "Ilcmomber  this  has  been  the  strategic  point  in 
all  the  wars  waged  for  the  control  of  this  continent."  And  this 
is  simply  one  of  the  highlands  of  our  State.  Add  to  it  those  of 
which  I  have  just  spoken,  those  wooded  summits  which  the  sun 
first  doth  gild,  and  from  them  we  can  pass  down  not  merely  to  our 
seaboard  cities,  but  to  the  vast,  vast  acres  which  make  our 
reunited  and  prosperous  country. 

The  Fort  that  formerly  occupied  this  site  was  built  in  1759; 
more  than  forty  years  after  the  erection  of  Forts  Ticonderoga  and 
Onondaga,  and  some  forty-seven  years  after  Fort  Hunter,  the  lat- 
ter being  the  first  Fort  erected  among  the  Five  Nations.  It  was 
merely  one  in  a  long  chain  of  similar  structures  that  united  the 
waters  of  the  Hudson  with  the  vleeper  and  bluer  waters  of  our 
western  lakes.  On  the  west,  the  nearer  were  Forts  Bull  and 
William,  with  Forts  Herkimer  and  Hendricks  at  the  east.  It  had 
its  origin  in  the  colonics  desiring  to  strengthen  themselves  in  this 
valley,  and  the  necessity  of  supplies  and  ammunition  being  con- 
veniently located,  as  well  as  shelter  for  the  settlers  when  threatened 
or  pursued  by  thirsty  and  bloody  foes. 

Under  date  of  July  16,  1755,  the  lords  of  trade  wrote  to  Gov- 
ernor Hardy  for  an  opinion  as  to  the  best  system  to  be  laid  down 
for  the  defense  of  the  frontiers;  ibr  the  management  of  the 
Indians;  what  Forts  should  be  built,  where  located,  and  the  num- 
ber of  troops  required  to  give  efficiency  to  the  colonies.  Hardy, 
in  replying  to  this  communication,  suggested  that  three  Forts 
should  be  erected  on  the  northern  frontiers;  one  on  the  Hudson 


y 


river;  anothor  at  Lake  George;  a  tliird  at  or  about  where  Wood 
creek  and  South  Buy  mix  their  waters;  another  in  the  Onondaga 
country  where  tlie  f^cneral  councils  of  the  Six  Nations  were  held; 
and  still  another  some  eighty  miles  to  the  west  of  Oswego.  They 
were  not,  however,  to  be  ecjiial  in  extent,  nor  of  tlie  same  magni- 
tude. On  the  contrary,  he  exprcssily  mentions  that  some,  as  Fort 
Onondaga,  need  not  be  very  strong,  as  a  picketed  one  with  a  num- 
ber of  block-liouses  would  be  sufKcieiit,  The  recommendations  of 
the  governor  were  adopted.  So  soon,  therefore,  as  aat'"'.fity 
arrived  for  their  erection  they  were  begun.  As  General  SI  irley 
at  this  time  was  in  command  of  the  north  and  western  frontier,  iie 
imd^rtook  the  construction  of  the  more  needed  cues,  leaving  the 
less  important  to  be  built  after  the  com})lelion  of  those  demanded 
for  strategic  pnrjjos^^-s.  To  his  honor  and  magnanimity  be  it  said, 
not  one  was  located  arbitrarily.  On  the  other  hand,  he  not  only 
sought  the  permission  of  the  Indians,  but  solicited  also  their  active 
co-operation.  Notably  was  this  true  of  the  Fort  built  at  Oneida. 
Ere,  however,  the  plans  of  the  government  could  be  carried  out, 
Shirley  was  superseded  by  the  Earl  of  Loudon ;  it  was,  therefore, 
under  his  administration  that  this  particular  Fort  was  built,  and 
from  whom  also  it  I'cceived,  so  to  say,  its  cliarge.  Before  the 
Indians  yielded  their  assent  to  the  multiplication  of  defenses 
among  them,  inasmuch  as  they  were  desired  for  the  present  emerg- 
ency, and  their  erection  somewhat  interfered  with  their  fishing  and 
hunting  places,  and  they  who  garrisoned  them  too  frequently 
abused  their  privilege,  it  was  expressly  stipulated  that  all  minor 
pests  should  be  destroyed,  so  soon  as  the  war  ended. 

The  size  and  shape  of  Fort  Schuyler  I  have  yet  to  learn,  as  well 
as  the  s])ecial  character  of  its  construction.  As  Fort  Stanwix  at 
Home  was  erected  the  year  j)revious,  and  at  an  expense  of  nearly 
three  hundred  thousaiul  dollars,  and  upon  the  most  true  and 
approved  scientific  principles  of  military  engineering,  it  is  not 
probable  that  the  Fort  on  whose  site  we  are  now  met  was  either 
as  costly  or  extensive.  Rather,  since  the  completion  of  Fort 
Stanwix  gave  abundant  accommodations  for  a  large  garrison,  and 
afforded  comi)lete  shelter  for  sup])!!!  s  and  fugitives,  it  is  more  than 
probable  that  it  was  a  simple  block-house,  with  openings  for  can- 
non and  musket,  and  i)alisaded  so  as  to  furnish  proper  protection 
to  all  needing  it  for  safety  or  aggressive  warfare.  I  thus  (^peak, 
for  such  was  the  character  of  the  Forts  to  the  east  which  occupied 
similar  subordinate  positions.  In  Barber's  collection  of  New  York, 
we  are  told  that  the  "first  building  erected  within  the  limits  of 


10 


Utica  VV.18  a  mud  fort,  during  the  old  Frencli  war.  It  was  situated 
between  Main  street  and  the  bank  of  tlie  river  a  little  eastward  of 
Second  street."  When  Fort  Schuyler  had  accoin])lished  its  mis- 
sion, or  the  war  over,  the  authorities  kept  the  promise  made  to  the 
allies,  and  with  other  constructions  of  like  character,  it  was  given 
over  to  decay. 

Following  the  custom  of  the  day  the  Fort  was  named  for  an 
officer,  at  this  very  period  in  the  acrive  service  of  his  country, 
Colonel  Peter  Schuyler,  of  New  Jersey.  Already  had  the  noble 
deeds  of  Peter  Schuyler,  of  Albany,  btcome  household  words;  but 
as  the  dash,  bravery,  heroism  and  i)hilanthro])y  of  his  namesake 
were  daily  coming  more  and  more  into  view,  and  were  command- 
ing the  astonishment  and  admiration  of  his  countrymen,  it  received 
his  name,  simply  as  a  feeble  acknowledgment  of  the  services  he 
liad  already  rendered  the  government,  as  well  as  a  reminder  for 
further  faithfulness,  devotion  and  sacrifice. 

That  the  Fort  was  called  for  the  Jersey  and  not  for  the  Albanian 
Schuyler,  we  need  but  recall  the  custom  that  prevailed  at  this  day 
in  naming  every  stockade  or  defense  for  an  officer  then  in  active 
service.  Unhappily  when  its  foundations  were  laid  Peter  Schuyler, 
of  Albany,  had  been  in  his  grave  twenty-five  years,  while  his  name- 
sake of  Xew  Jersey  was  in  command  of  the  Jersey  Blues  then 
garrisoning  Oswego.  Nor  among  all  the  officers  in  the  army  was 
there  one  more  popular,  self-sacrificing,  or  the  recipient  of  higher 
honors.  When  others  were  timid  and  doubtful,  he  was  bohl ;  when 
they  i)arleyed  and  delayed,  lie  was  nervous  and  anxious  for  action; 
when  the  State  was  unable  to  pay  its  troops,  he  advanced  moneys 
for  the  san^fl  from  his  private  resources ;  and  more  especially,  when 
the  general  government  could  not  and  did  not  ransom  her  soldiers 
from  captivity,  Peter  Schuyler,  of  New  Jersey,  became  their 
deliverer  by  personally  purchasing  their  redemption,  and  with  no 
hope  of  retuni.  Indeed  his  bravery,  patriotism  and  philanthropy 
endeared  him  to  the  whole  country.  It  is  likewise  the  testimony 
and  tradition  of  his  descendants  still  living  in  New  Jersey,  that  it 
was  their  ancestor  for  whom  tliis  Fort  was  called ;  and  at  this  very 
hour  their  choicr^t  heirloom  consists  of  the  sword  once  worn  by 
their  noble  sire  during  his  campaigns  in  our  valley,  when  the  old 
block-house  first  came  into  being.  While  Peter  Schuyler,  of 
Albany,  had  frequently  given  his  services  to  his  country,  and 
enjoyed  a  most  enviable  reputation  among  the  Indians,  he  was^ 
however,  more  a  man  of  peace;  in  fact,  he  was  offered  the 
honor  of  knighthood  for  his  civic  services.     Peter  Schuyler,  of 


11 


New  Jei*sey,  was  a  man  of  war,  and  for  liis  mliitary  dash  and 
sagacity  received  the  commenihition  of  tlio  English  i)arliament, 
througli  William  Pitt;  while  the  colonies  manifested  their  gratitndo 
for  his  great  philanthropy  by  frequently  rendering  him  unwonted 
honors. 

As  in  studying  the  earl}  lustory  of  this  section  of  our  State,  we 
frequently  meet  with  the  names  Fort  Schuyler  and  Old  Fort 
Schuyler,  luay  I  observe  in  ])assing,  that  during  the  '{evolutionary 
war  an  attempt  was  made  to  give  the  name  of  Scnuyler  to  the 
Fort  erected  on  or  near  the  site  of  Fort  Stanwix,  at  Home;  while 
th  Fort  which  we  this  day  would  commemorate  was  alluded  to 
us  Old  Fort  Schuyler.  But  as  these  two  Forts  derived  their  names 
from  two  ditterent  indivduals  of  the  same  distinguished  family,  so 
did  they  occupy  ditferent  cites.  To  repeat,  our  Fort  Schuyler 
derived  its  name  from  Colonel  Peter  Schuyler,  of  New  Jersey,  and 
of  Indian  renown  ;  while  the  Fort  which  supj)lanted  Fort  Stanwix 
was  called  after  General  Philip  Schuyler,  of  New  York,  and  of 
Revolutionary  memory. 

Here  un  imperfect  sketch  of  the  Schuyler  family  will  not  be  out 
of  place. 

The  family  of  Schuyler  has  always  played  a  most  important 
part  in  the  history  of  our  commonwealth.  The  first  who  appears 
on  the  historical  page  Avas  Philip  Pieterscn  Schuyler,  a  pi' re 
Hollander,  who  came  to  these  western  shores  in  1G50.  His  ^m- 
cestral  acres  lay  about  the  famous  old  city  of  Dordrecht.  After 
an  honored  career,  he  died  on  the  0th  of  jMry,  1683,  O.  S.  and  was 
buried  in  tbe  old  Dutch  church  at  Albany.  His  fourth  child  bore 
his  father's  name,  nor  was  he  any  the  less  distinguished.     He  was 

7  ^  CD 

born  at  the  city  of  Albany,  and  after  its  incorporation  became  its 
first  mayor,  occupying  this  position  from  1680  to  1694.  In  1688  he 
received  the  commissioji  of  major  of  the  militia,  and  before  the  close 
of  the  year  was  given  command  of  the  B''ort  in  his  native  city.  He 
was  also  made  a  member  and,  at  a  later  period,  became  tlu'  president 
of  his  majesty's  council  for  the  province  of  New  York ;  and  for  a 
while  acting  governor  of  the  colony.  He  was  chief  commission  ,'r 
for  India'  aflfairs,  and  held  that  arduous  and  responsible  posi- 
tion man^  years.  To  impress  the  government  of  Queen  Anne 
with  the  character  of  its  allies,  in  1710  he  visited  England,  taking 
with  him  several  Iroquois  chiefs  with  whose  constituency  he  was 
on  terras  of  intimacy.  As  a  token  of  her  respect  for  the  services 
he  had  rendered  the  government,  Queen  Anne  presented  him  on  his 
return  with  a  silver  vase.  This  was  the  Schuyler  whom  the 
Indians  loved  to  call  "Brother  Queder."     He  died  in  1724. 


■^ta^MABfia 


12 


i  i 


The  iiintli  cliild  of  Philij)  Pioterscn  Schuyler  was  .lolin,  whose 
sou  John  was  the  honored  father  of  General  Philii)  Schuyler,  the 
trusted  and  tried  fiiend  of  America,  and  who  fought  iso  bravely 
for  her  iiid'j]»;Midence.  He  was  l)ai)ti/ed,  as  was  his  friend 
Benjamin  Franklin,  on  the  day  of  his  birth. 

The  sixth  child  of  Philip  Pietersen  was  Arent  Schuyler,  who  was 
born  in  the  city  of  Albany  in  1G02.  He  was  given  the  name  of 
his  niatern.d  _randfath'M\  He  married  Jenneke  Teller,  No/ember 
26th,  1684,  and  commenced  house-keepinu;  on  North  Peai  I  street, 
Aioany,  as  the  records  read,  "in  the  house  where  the  eag.e  hangs 
out."  Th(^  notarial  papers  inform  us  that  as  his  name  Arent 
meant  eagle,  he  hung  out  in  a  cage  a  live  eagle,  to  mark  his 
residence,  instead  of  a  door  plate.  About  the  year  1093,  he 
removed  to  New  York  city.  In  an  Indian  deed  dated  July  13th, 
1696,  he  is  styled,  "  Merchant  of  the  city  of  New  York." 
Having  purchased,  however,  an  extensive  tract  of  land  in  N'iw 
Jersey,  near  Pompton,  he  removed  there  perhaps  in  1706,  and  evcv 
afterwards  regarded  this  State  as  his  hcmie.  In  vXpril,  1710,  he 
purchased  an  additional  farm  on  New  Barbadoes  Neck,  the  present 
site  of  Belleville,  to  which  he  removed  the  same  year. 

As  an  illustration  of  the  surj)rises  that  await  the  more  bold  and 
adventurous,  let  me  relate  an  incident  which,  as  we  shall  see,  gave 
him  no  mean  wealth,  as  well  as  social  inilueuce,  in  his  adopted 
State.  As  one  of  his  negroes  was  plowin[  he  happened  to  turn 
up  a  greenish  heavy  stone,  which  he  took  to  his  master,  who,  dis- 
covering that  it  contained  copper,  sent  it  to  P]ngland  for  analysis. 
It  was  found  to  possess  eighty  per  cent  of  this  valued  metal. 
Desiring  to  reward  the  faithful  and  thoughtful  slave,  Schuyler 
asked  him  to  name  three  things  that  he  desired  most,  assuring  him 
that  his  wishes  would  be  gravely  considered.  The  slave  answered 
first,  that  he  might  remain  with  his  master  as  long  as  he  lived; 
second,  that  he  might  have  all  the  tobacco  he  could  smoke;  and 
third,  that  he  might  have  a  dressing-gown  like  his  tYiaster's,  with 
big  V)rass  buttons.  Schuyler  suggested  he  should  ask  for  some- 
thing ihore.  After  a  moment's  thought,  the  negro  replied  ''that 
he  might  have  a  little  more  tobacco."  How  true  that  were  the 
loftiest  ambition  of  some  fully  gratified,  it  would  end  in  smoke  ! 

The  family  of  Arent  Schuyler  consisted  of  his  sons  Philip, 
Casperus,  John,  Peter,  Adoniah,  and  his  daughters  Eve  and 
Cornelia.  His  third  son  William  died  in  infancy.  Peter,  his  fifth 
son,  the  noble  man  whom  we  this  day  would  honor,  was  born  on 
his  father's  farm  in  1710;  whether  the  one  at  Pompton  or  Belle- 


13 


villo  it  is  diffiouU  to  say.  Of  hi.j  early  days  little  is  known  beyond 
his  receivintf  a  liberal  education,  and  snch  as  qnaliiiod  bim  for 
future  usefulness. 

His  father  dyin.i?  in  1730,  and  leavinij  I1..1  by  li's  will  some 
eeven  hundred  and  sixty  aeres  of  land  near  the  Ividiwry  1 -ver,  on 
the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Elizabeth,  led  him  to  nia^o  New 
Jersey  his  home.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  John  Walter, 
of  New  York,  a  man  of  considerable  influence  and  fjreat  wealth, 
who  lived  at  this  period  in  Hanover  scpiare  in  the  same  city.  It 
appears  he  had  but  one  child,  a  daUi^hter  named  Catharine;  to 
whom,  as  his  will  reads,  he  bequeaths  all  the  residue  of  his  estate, 
and  her  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever. 

Ibit  rather  than  occupy  ourselves  with  the  biojifraphy  of  Colonel 
Schuyler,  since  he  was  quite  a  prominent  tiijfure  in  the  struggle  in 
which  the  colonists  were  now  engaged,  let  me,  though  nece^    irily 
very  imperfectly,  review  the  condition  of  the  country  at  this  U 
and  as  we  unfold  it,  mark  the  man. 

From  the  hour  in  which  the  French  had  obtained  a  foot  hold  on 
American  soil,  and  had  become?  :icquainted  with  its  general 
character,  they  coveted  to  make  it  a  dependency  of  the  French 
crown.  For  the  accomplishment  of  this  purpose,  every  known 
expedient  was  resorted  to  from  actual  jjurchase,  to  forcible 
expulsion.  To  add  efticiency  to  their  desigti,  a  chain  of  Forts  was 
begun  to  extend  from  Canada  to  the  mouth  of  the  INIississippi; 
while  later  they  w(  re  planted  westward  as  far  as  the  ]>resent  city 
of  Detroit;  thus  literally  to  hem  in  the  colonists,  and  when  the 
j)roper  hour  arrived  to  take  possession  of  the  country.  The 
formal  declaration  of  war,  by  the  powers  in  Europe  in  1744,  added 
to  the  growing  hatred  of  the  contending  parties;  and  laid  open 
our  frontier  State  wider  to  all  the  horrors  with  which  they  had 
become  already  too  familiar.  Indeed,  the  atrocities  of  the  French 
rapidly  assumed  such  proportions,  that  i-he  province  became  most 
clearly  impressed  with  the  conviction  that  their  only  permanent 
safety  lay  in  the  conquest  of  Canada,  and  in  making  it  a  tribute 
to  the  English  realm.  With  this  in  view,  Governor  Shirley,  of 
Massachusetts,  proposed  at  once  the  capturing  of  Louisburg,  and 
particularly  it,  since  all  conceded  this  settlement  to  be  the  key  to 
the  French  occupation.  At  the  same  time  aid  was  dispatched  to 
Oswego,  the  many  frontier  Forts  were  strengthened,  and  measures 
entered  upon  to  engage  the  Iroquois  in  the  war  now  upon  the 
nation.  While  the  colonists  were  thus  paying  their  attention  to 
the   invaders   at   Cape   Breton,   all   the   country,  especially  that 


r" 


ssm 


u 


I  ! 


portion  along  onr  northern  frontier,  was  kept  in  perpetual  disturl)- 
aiice,  by  the  actions  of  the  French  and  their  tawny  allies. 

B\if  to  attempt  any  history  of  tlie  atrocities  of  the  Frendi  at 
this  time,  along  tlie  frontiers  of  our  State,  would  he  merely  a 
recapitulation  of  the  massacre  at  Schenectady  in  1000,  and  tho 
still  later  barbarities  of  Wyoming  and  Cherry  Valleys.  As  they 
were  of  an  uncalled  for  character  they  awoke  a  spirit  of  determined 
resistance  among  the  colonies,  and  spurred  them  to  vigilance  and 
action.  Among  other  results  thev  drew  Colonel  I'eter  Schuvler 
from  his  Jersey  acres,  and  led  him  to  offer  his  services  to  the 
country.  This  was  in  1 740.  The  records  of  the  acts  of  the  New 
Jersey  legislature  for  this  year  contain  the  following :  "  For  colonel 
of  the  forces  raised  in  this  province  for  the  intended  expedition, 
it  is  unanimously  reconunended  his  honor,  Peter  Schyider,  Esq., 
a  gentleman  well-known  to  several  members  of  this  board,  of  good 
estate  atid  reputation,  and  very  proper  to  be  coinmissionated  for 
the  ])urpose."  Having  accepted  this  high  and  responsible 
position,  oiu"  hero  was  iran)ediately  ordered  to  ])rocecd  to  Oswego, 
to  garrison  the  Fort,  and  make  ready  for  any  servici'  to  which  ho 
might  be  summoned.  Surrounding  himself  with  the  troops  he 
had  been  able  to  enlist,  on  the  third  of  September  he  embarked  at 
Amboy,  en  route  for  Oswego,  via  the  Hudson  river  and  Albany. 
As  the  government,  however,  had  failed  to  furnish  the  necessary 
additional  force,  that  was  to  come  from  England,  Schuyler,  after 
a  delay  of  live  months  in  Albany,  w.iS  recalled.  Though  deeply 
chagrined  at  the  failure  of  the  home  governnient  to  redeem  its 
promise,  and  the  inefficiency  also  of  those  who  had  the  care  of 
colonial  affairs,  this  experience,  however,  simply  brought  out 
some  of  his  more  prominent  characteristics,  and  led  the 
authorities  to  see  with  whom  they  were  dealing.  Duruig  his 
detention  at  Albany,  he  informed  the  New  Jersey  governor  that 
his  men  were  in  want  of  a  surgeon,  medicine,  shirts,  flints,  colors, 
bread  and  peas.  Besides  this,  unless  they  soon  received  their  pay, 
they  had  threatened  to  leave;  taking  with  them  their  arras  and 
ammunition.  In  Governor  Hamilton's  reply  to  tiieir  communica- 
tion, he  complimented  Colonel  Schuyler  for  the  zeal  he  had  shown 
in  his  majesty's  service ;  and  at  the  same  time  gave  him  assurance 
that  that  very  day  he  had  ordered  for  each  one  of  his  soldiers  a 
pair  of  shoes  and  two  speckled  shirts.  But  as  the  troops  felt  that 
this  promise  of  the  authorities  would  be  similar  to  others  with 
which  they  had  become  acquainted,  Colonel  Schuyler,  fearing  they 
might    desert,  advanced    from    his    own    private  means  several 


15 


thousand  pounds,  cnoui^li  to  meet  tlicir  wants,  and  to  siU'noc  all 
their  murmurs.  The  more  important  nci'ds  of  his  men  having 
thus  been  mot,  Cohjiud  Schuyler  was  ordered  to  proeeed  to 
Saratoga  and  await  the  commands  that  tliere  would  he  sent  him. 
Unfortunately,  the  same  experiences  that  had  overtaken  him 
while  at  Albany  were  here  repeated ;  and  they  were  met  in  the 
same  way.  In  the  mean  time,  articles  of  ])eace  were  signed  at 
Aix  la  Chapelle,  whicli  bringing  an  end  to  the  war,  left  Colonel 
Schuyler  nothing  to  do  but  to  return  to  New  Jersey;  where,  after 
a  tew  weeks'  delay  he  found  himself  engaged  once  more  in  his 
former  labors. 

Though  tho  war  had  bei'u  officially  declaied  to  be  at  an  end,  so 
far,  however,  as  America  was  concerned,  after  all  nothing  really 
had  been  gained.  On  the  contrary,  the  country  had  greatly 
sutt'ered,  and  so  had  humanity.  The  bimndaries  between  British 
and  French  possessions  were  yet  unsettled  ;  nor  had  either  con- 
testant acknowledged  tho  right  of  the  other  to  portions  of  Maine; 
but  morr'  particularly  to  tho  basin  of  the  Ohio.  With  such 
important  cpiestions  unadjusted,  the  opjiortunities  for  renewing 
old  hostilities  were  exceedingly  fre<iuent ;  so  much  so  that  even 
an  unprejudiced  mind  easily  discovered  them.  The  following 
added  very  nnich  to  the  acciimulating  complications.  The 
English  governmriit,  (under  the  treaty  of  Lancaster  of  I74f)  had 
])crniitted  Virginia  to  assume  the  right  of  territory  as  far  west 
as  the  Mississipj)i.  In  harmony  with  this  treaty,  a  large  grant  of 
land  situated  on  the  Ohio  river  was  given  to  several  individuals 
of  wealth  and  influence,  residing  in  England  and  in  Virginia. 
The  grantees  on  taking  possession  of  their  property  naturally 
adopted  measures  for  their  government  and  ])rotection.  The 
goverimicnt  in  Canada  having  learned  of  these  proceedings,  and 
regarding  them  as  an  intrusion  upon  French  rights,  informed  the 
governors  of  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  of  the  encroachments 
thus  made;  an  J  warned  them  that  in  case  they  did  not  desist, 
such  steps  would  be  taken  as  the  invasion  of  a  domain  demanded. 
His  threats  receiving  no  attention,  in  pursuance  of  his  purpose, 
the  French  governor  ordered  his  troops  to  the  town  of  Picqua,  in 
the  valley  of  the  Miami,  to  demand  its  surrender  with  the  English 
traders  therein  and  their  eifects.  The  Indians  in  charge,  declaring 
that  the  English  were  their  guests,  refused ;  whereupon  the 
French  assaulted  the  town  and  destroyed  the  Fort,  and  to  show, 
it  may  be,  the  determination  with  which  they  proposed  to  carry 
out  their  measures,  the  king  of  the  Piaukeshawa  was  sacrificed 


r 


16 


and  eaten.  Tlm-<,  in  Ohio  hcnjun  anew  tiiiit.  tliiiim  \vhos((  burioil 
fircH  were  onou  more  to  illuminate  not  simply  tlu;  western  frontiers, 
but  the  homes  and  the  hearths  of  all  the  coloides. 

Dinwiddie,  the  lieutenant  ijovernor  of  Virginia,  regarding  eon- 
duct  so  unprovoked  as  tantamount  to  an  invasion,  in  1763, 
dispatched  Major  (reori^e  Wasliini^ton  with  a  letter  to  the  eom- 
inander  of  the  French  forces  in  the  Ohio,  demanding  that  he  with- 
draw from  the  territory  of  his  majesty,  and  make  due  explanation 
for  an  act  so  (histardly  and  cruel.  De  St.  Pierre  then  the  commander 
of  the  Ohio,  who  ret  .ived  this  letter,  replied  that  he  had  acted 
from  instructions  given  him  by  the  trovernor  general  of  Canada; 
still  he  would  forward  to  him  the  communication.  While  the 
correspondence  was  progressing,  the  French  increased  tho 
diitieulties  by  fitting  out  an  expedition  under  Diupiesne  to  occupy 
the  Ohio  valley ;  learning  which  the  Indians  determined  to  resist. 
Two  feet  runners  passed  down  this  very  valley  to  the  home  of 
Sir  William  Johnson  with  belts,  soliciting  his  assistance.  At  tho 
same  time  an  Indian  envov  met  the  French  at  Niagara,  and 
warned  them  back.  Nothing  daunted,  however,  they  pushed  on, 
till  they  came  to  the  harbor  of  Erie,  where  they  were  again 
entreated  to  return.  As  the  speech  of  Tamacharisson,  the  half 
king,  brought  a  reply  from  the  French  commander  that  proved  a 
hurricane  to  the  flames  already  smoldering,  permit  me  to  repro- 
duce the  two  in  their  entirety.  "  Father,"  said  the  Indian,  "you 
are  disturl)ers  in  this  land,  l)y  taking  it  away  unknown  to  us  and 
by  force.  This  is  our  land,  and  not  yours.  Father,  both  you  and 
the  P]nglish  are  white;  we  live  in  a  country  between.  Therefore 
the  land  belongs  to  neither  the  one  nor  the  other  of  you;  but  tho 
Great  Being  above  allowed  it  to  be  a  dwelling  place  for  us ;  so, 
father,  I  desire  you  to  withdraw,  as  I  haA'e  done  our  brothers, 
the  English." 

"Child,"  replied  the  French  officer,  "you  talk  foolishly;  you 
say  the  land  belongs  to  you ;  but  not  cO  much  of  it  as  the  black 
of  your  nails  is  yours.  It  is  my  land;  and  I  will  have  it,  let  who 
will  stand  up  against  it."  What  arrogance !  What  assumption  ! 
Who  can  wonder  that  such  words  should  quicken,  inflame  and 
curdle  even  Indian  blood. 

The  mission  of  Washington  proving  as  fruitless  as  the  entreaties 
of  the  Indians,  on  his  return  to  Virginia  ])reparation3  were 
immediately  made  to  assert  the  right  of  the  colonists.  As  soon  as 
possible  a  regiment  was  raised,  and  under  the  command  of 
Washington    moved   for    the   Ohio;    but    meeting    with   defeat 


17 


VOll 


notliiiifT  was  accomplislied,  Alioady  liiid  the  French  advanced  a» 
far  eastward  as  the  present  site  of  Pittshurjjf;  and  ai(l«'<l  by  a 
strong  force  under  Do  Contrectcur  possessed  tlietnselves  of  the 
Fort  the  Virs^inians  had  here  erected.  It  was  at  this  time  that  the 
colonists  were  exiiorted  to  confederacy.  Accordingly,  on  tho 
10th  of  June,  1154,  a  conference  of  conunissioners  from  every 
State  north  of  the  Potomac  met  in  Albany,  to  consider  a  plan 
which  their  own  needs  and  the  exigency  of  the  hour  demanded. 
It  was  the  o|)inion  ol  every  member  of  the  council,  that  a  union  of 
all  the  colonies  v  as  absolutely  recjuired.  From  this  hour  tho 
French  discovered  the  English  were  in  earnest ;  nor  were  they 
deceived.  The  '•'"■tes  having  become  confederated  felt  their 
duties  and  re^p  >-.  '-'"es.  Concerted  measures  were  therefore 
prepared,  not  n.  j  check  the  advance  of  the  Frencli,  but  to 

drive  them  out  or  me  country.  Massachueetts,  New  York,  New 
Jersey,  Pennsylvani.'  and  Virginia  immediately  voted  supplies  for 
the  campaign,  and  rnmy  of  their  valiant  sons  were  soon  on  the 
march.  The  resolves  of  the  colonists  quite  paralyzed  tho 
home  government.  While,  however,  it  was  hesitating,  the  Duke 
of  Cambridge,  early  in  177ri,  sent  over  General  IJraddock  with  a 
detachment  of  the  army  in  Ireland,  to  be  used  by  the  colonies  as 
were  their  needs.  One  of  the  tirst  measures  adopted  by  Braddock 
after  his  arrival  was  calling  together  the  several  governors,  for 
the  double  purpose  of  learning  the  true  condition  of  affairs,  and  to 
agree  on  some  [)lan  for  united  action.  This  council  convened  at 
Alexandria,  in  Virginia,  April  14,  1755,  at  which  the  following 
four  expeditions  were  agreed  upon :  The  first  was  to  be  directed 
against  Fort  Duquesne,  to  be  commanded  by  Braddock  in  person ; 
the  second,  to  capture  Forts  Frontenac  and  Niagara,  under 
General  Shirley;  the  third,  to  seize  Crown  Point,  under  the 
leadership  of  General  William  Johnson ;  while  the  last,  under 
Lawrence,  the  lieutenant  governor  of  Nova  vScotia,  was  to  reduce 
this  province,  according  to  the  English  interpretation  of  its 
boundaries. 

It  was  now  that  the  martial  and  patriotic  spirit  of  Colonel  Peter 
Schuyler  bt-came  again  aroused,  and  that  he  puts  his  sword  and 
life  at  the  control  of  his  country.  Since  his  former  campaigns  had 
made  him  quite  familiar  with  frontier  life,  he  was  at  once 
ordered  to  occupy  with  his  regiment  Fort  Oswego,  which 
he  did,  reaching  it  July  20,  1755.  As  B»addcck,  however, 
had  just  experienced  an  inglorious  defeat,  which  exposed 
the  State  of  New  Jersey  to  the  inroads  of  the  French  hirelings. 


FT" 


18 


^il 


in  December  of  the  same  year,  lie  was  instructed  to  abandon 
Oswego,  return  lionie  and  prepare  for  such  contingencies,  to  which 
it  was  thought  the  recent  reverses  must  k'ad.  During  the  winter, 
)ie  occupied  a  block-house  on  the  banks  of  the  Delaware.  In  the 
spring,  on  his  return  to  the  north,  he  was  ordered  back  to  Oswego, 
which,  after  many  delays,  he  reached  July  1,  1756.  On  his 
arrival,  learning  that  Montcalm  had  determined  on  the  invasion  of 
the  province,  and  that  he  j)ro|)osed  to  begin  hj-  the  reduction  of 
the  Fort  at  Oswego,  Colonel  Schuyler  prepared  himself  for  the 
threatened  conflict.  Meanwhile,  the  provincials,  learning  through 
Indian  spies  of  the  proposed  attack,  instructed  General  Webb  to 
march  with  the  force  at  his  command  to  Schuyler's  relief.  lie 
failed  to  arrive  in  time.  The  Fort  was  attacked  with  great 
earnestness  and  vigor.  When  the  struggle  began.  Colonel  Schuyler 
was  posted  with  his  men  some  six  Iiundred  yards  to  the  westward 
of  the  Fort,  in  a  small)  unfinished  redoubt,  used  for  keeping 
cattie;  and  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  was  busy  in  cutting 
down  the  bushes  near  the  Fort  and  making  fascines.  The  next 
morning.  Colonel  IVfercer,  the  commander  of  the  garrison,  was 
killed.  On  learning  his  death,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Liltlehales  sent 
for  ^Colonel  Schuyler,  and,  after  a  council  of  war,  orders  were 
issued  to  cease  firing  and  prepare  for  cajjitulation.  Colonel 
Schuyler  opj)osed  the  surrender;  but  being  over-ruled  was  obliged 
to  yield.  It  would  be  difficult  to  find  in  all  history  a  more 
ignonunous  submission,  though  it  stipulate(l  that  the  entire 
garrison  should  march  out  wi(  the  full  honors  of  war.  On 
razing  the  Fort,  Montcalm  immediately  returned  to  Canada, 
carrying  among  other  prisoners,  the  brave,  uncompromising 
Colonel  Schuyler,  the  hero  of  this  happy  hour. 

Thougii  in  captivity  and  in  the  hands  of  his  enemies,  if  caring 
for  one's  command  and  mitigating  the  hard  trials  of  his  fellow- 
countrymen,  situated  as  was  he,  in  providing  for  their  wants,  and 
in  aiding  the  poor  Indians  who,  through  this  and  other  disasters  to 
provincial  arms,  had  fallen  into  French  hands,  be  any  indication 
of  loyalty — or  true  manhood,  even  in  Canada,  Colomd  Schuyler 
was  none  the  less  active  in  the  interests  of  his  country  than  when 
in  the  field.  His  military  abilitie:*,  social  position  and  ntagna- 
nimity  of  spirit  were  soon  discovered  by  the  French,  and  duly 
acknowledged.  Liberties  were  accorded  to  him  that  others  Imd 
never  enjoyed,  which  he  embraced ;  nor  did  he  ever  abuse  them. 
As  he  loved  his  country  and  Hs  flag,  so  did  he  love  her  sons  and 
her  wards. 


19 


Away  from  the  noise  of  war  ai»<l  in  retirement,  he  spent  his 
time  not  in  planning  new  canipaiij;ns,  nor  in  (U'visinj;  means  for 
escape;  bnt  in  visitini;,  comforting  and  caring  for  the  nnhappy 
prison  soldiers  about  him,  Knglish,  American  and  Indian,  who, 
through  the  chances  of  war,  had  beco.  'C  captives.  Fatiiers  and  sons^ 
who  could  illy  be  spared  from  their  homes,  he  gladly  and  promptly 
ransomed  from  his  private  purse;  while  for  the  sick  he  proeured 
tmusual  attention,  knowing  no  nationality  in  his  nunistries  of 
sympathy  and  love.  In  fact,  during  his  stay  in  Canada,  he  was 
allowed  by  the  authorities  to  have  a  house  by  himself,  whose  doors 
were  ever  wide  open  for  his  countrymen,  all  of  whom  were  free  to 
visit  him;  norwere  any  who  sought  his  kindly  counsel  or  beiu'fac- 
tions  sent  empty  away.  At  this  period  in  his  history,  he  advanced 
more  than  twenty  thousand  livres  to  secure  the  release  of  Indians, 
personally  caring  for  them  until  they  were  able  to  be  retjirned  to 
their  homes.  Many  provincials  received  advances  in  money,  far 
beyond  their  ability  to  pay;  and  when  reproved  for  his  liberality, 
]w  informed  his  censors  that  his  silver  could  not  be  better  be- 
stowed. Nobleman!  ()  generous  heart  !  When  will  others, with 
far  greater  means,  be  moved  with  similar  feelings  for  our  common 
hunninity,  and  leirn  this  })lain  lesson,  that  moneys  expended  in  the 
interests  of  those  who  ])Ht  their  lives  at  the  service  of  their  coun- 
try, is  spent  most  In  'nanely,  most  wisely.  Let  those  in  our  city, 
whom  fortune  has  favored,  give  as  freely  of  their  accumulations 
or  inheritance  as  did  Colonel  Peter  Schuyler,  for  the  heroes  who 
have  gone  forth  from  the  homes  about  us,  and  this  very  hour,  not 
only  would  many  a  domestic  want  be  met,  but  in  some  one  of  our 
streets  we  should  see  a  monument  conmiomorative  of  their  sacrifice 
and  heroism,  iis  stately,  grand  and  beautiful  as  any  which  the  sun 
this  day  gilds,  or  which  this  night  the  stars  silently  watch  and  so 
gladly  look  down  upon. 

In  the  :iutuinn  of  1750,  Colonel  Schuyler  was  allowed  on  parole 
to  leave  Montreal  and  visit  the  city  of  New  York,  bearing  a 
commission  from  the  governor  general  of  Canada  to  make  terms 
for  the  exchange  of  piisoners.  Ho  arrived  in  New  York  in 
November;  and  as  his  reputation  for  sympathy,  kindness  and  great 
philanthropy — all  that  he  had  done  tor  the  redemption  of  his 
captive  countrymen  had  preceded  him,  he  was  received  with  un- 
usual demonstrations  of  joy.  The  same  evening  the  city  was 
illuminated,  bonfires  were  kindled  on  the  common,  and  an  elegant 
entertainment  awaited  him  at  the  King's  Arm  Tavern,  where  the 
public  generally  testified   their  great  gratification  at  his  return^^ 


20 


The  next  d.ay  ho  set  out  for  lionio.  His  neighbors  ana  friends 
■welcomed  his  arrival  with  cheers  and  the  booming  of  cannon.  On 
visiting  Newark  the  following  day,  the  roar  of  cannon  again 
awaited  him;  the  dwellings,  also,  of  the  people  were  illuminated, 
an  honor  which  they  felt  pre-eminently  due  him  for  his  humanity, 
as  well  as  for  his  self-sacrifice  and  devotion  to  his  country's 
interests.  On  going  to  Princeton,  similar  marks  of  respect  and 
consideration  were  bestowed.  As  he  entered  that  now  classic  towu» 
the  citizens  went  out  to  nu'et  and  escort  him  to  his  stopping  place* 
and  as  he  approached,  a  young  lady  advancing,  thus  addressed 
him: 

Dear  to  eacli  muse,  and  to  my  country  dear, 
Welcome  once  more  to  breathe  tliy  native  air  ; 
Not  half  so  cheering  is  the  solar  ray 
To  the  harsh  region  of  a  winter's  day  ; 
Not  half  80  grateful  fanning  breezes  rise 
When  the  hot  dog-star  burns  the  summer  skies ; 
Caesar's  shore  with  acclamation  rings!, 
And,  welcome  Schuyler,  every  shepherd  sings; 
See  for  thy  brows  the  laurel  is  prepared, 
And  justly  deemed  a  patriot,  thy  reward  ; 
E'en  future  ages  shall  enroll  thy  name 
In  sacred  annals  of  immortal  fame. 

Thus  • '  •  it  whenever  he  journeyed.  The  entire  State  was 
moved  by  ms  presence,  and  the  distinguished  in  every  walk  of  life 
strove  to  do  him  honor.  As  many  of  her  private  sons  could  not 
forget  the  favors  which  they  had  received,  no  more  could  the  State 
withhold  paying  him,  on  all  proper  occasions,  the  honor  which  his 
services  had  so  often  and  nobly  won. 

But  the  days  of  his  parole  soon  passed  away.  In  obedience  to 
his  promise,  should  no  exchange  be  made  in  his  absence,  he  pre- 
pared to  return  to  the  city  of  his  ca))tivity.  William  Pitt,  and 
even  the  king  himself,  com])limented  him  for  the  zeal  he  had 
manifested  in  the  service.  Still,  on  the  expiration  of  his  parole, 
neither  was  able  to  redeem  him.  Even  his  jailer,  the  Marquis  de 
Vaudreuil,  referred  to  him  as  "  the  brave  old  Peter  Schuyler."'  Leav- 
ing, therefore,  his  honie  he  set  out  for  Montreal,  July  1,  1758, 
arriving  there  late  the  same  month.  Before  his  departure  from 
New  York,  General  Abercrombie  invested  him  with  full  powers 
for  such  an  exchange  of  prisoners  as  the  interests  of  the  country 
demanded.  To  what  extent  he  was  able  to  carry  out  the  com- 
mands of  his  senior  officer  is  not  known ;  but  it  is  known  that 
shortly  after  his  arrival  at  Montreal  he  was  exchanged  for  M.  De 


21 


Noyan,  the  commandant  at  Fort  Frontcnac.  Onco  more  then  at 
liberty,  he  returned  liome,  having  been  absent  nearly  six  months. 
But  he  did  not  journey  thitlierward  alone;  on  the  contrary,  he 
gathered  up  sucli  English  prisoners  as  he  had  been  able  to  exchange, 
and  many  also  whom  he  had  purchased  from  their  captors  with 
his  private  funds,  paying  for  the  same  a  very  high  price.  Indeed, 
it  is  said  on  his  arriving  at  Fort  Edward,  he  had  in  his  company 
no  less  than  eighty-eight  men,  women  and  cliildren ;  among  whom 
was  Mrs.  Howe  of  New  P]ngland,  afterwards  the  heroine  of  a 
romance  styled,  "The  Fair  Captive."  IMr.  George  W.  Schuyler  of 
Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  in  furnisliing  me  with  this  interesting  incident  adds: 
"while  a  prisoner  Mrs.  Howe  was  sought  but  not  won,  by  two 
Canadians,  father  and  son.  Her  situation  was  embarrassing,  but 
Colonel  Schuyler  came  to  her  relief.  He  secured  her  from  her 
suitors  by  buying  her  of  her  owner."  Unhappily  during  Colonel 
Schuyler's  caj)tivity  the  war  lost  none  of  its  virulence,  nor  had  the 
nations  come  to  any  better  understanding  of  their  rights,  than  if 
a  sword  liad  not  been  drawn.  True,  several  attempts  had  been 
made  at  invasion,  and  numerous  plans  had  been  proposed  for  at- 
tacking the  French  and  dispossessing  them  of  their  lands ;  but 
owing  to  serious  disagreements  among  British  and  American  or 
provincial  officers  concerning  rank,  and  the  breaking  out  of  small-pox 
in  the  ai-my,  nothing  permanent  had  been  accomplished.  The  recent 
advent,  however,  of  William  Pitt  to  the  premiership  of'England 
ga'  e  the  colonists  new  hope,  and  inspired  them  with  new  purposes. 
On  his  accession,  three  expeditions  were  immediately  proposed, 
one  against  Louisburg,  the  second  against  Crown  Point  and  Ticon- 
deroga,  while  the  third  was  directed  against  Fort  Duquesne; 
resulting  in  the  reduction  of  Louisburg,  the  occupation  of  Fort 
Duquesne,  but  defeat  at  Crown  Point  and  Ticonderoga.  Though 
the  events  of  the  year  did  not  equal  the  expectations  which  bad 
been  entertained,  from  the  joy  and  enthusiasm  the  change  in  the 
English  ministry  had  put  into  the  heart  of  the  colonists,  the 
advantages  gained  were  marked  and  decisive.  The  acquisition  of 
the  island  of  Cape  Breton  oj)ened  the  way  to  Quebec  and  up  the 
St.  Lawrence ;  and  the  success  in  the  west  enabled  a  stronger  force 
to  be  brought  against  Canada.  It  was,  therefore,  determined  to 
attempt  by  an  overwhelming  force  once  more  the  subjugation  of 
Canada;  and  thus  close  a  war  which  had  been  so  detrimental  to 
the  interests  of  l)olh  nations.  Now  it  is  that  the  brave  Colonel 
Schuyler  is  called  again  to  the  front  with  his  Jersey  Blues,  and 
with  the  combined  forces  of  the  provinces  advances  northward. 


09 


Ml 


li^'i; 


!  liJi: 


'ii: 


In  this  expedition,  he  shows  the  same  cure  for  his  soldiers,  and 
exhibits  the  same  devotioji  to  his  country's  welfare  as  in  his 
former  cainpaiiriis.  But  withoiit  following  the  army  as  it  moved 
for  the  Canadian  lines,  it  need  only  be  said  that,  this  last  invasion 
resulted  in  the  colonists,  under  I.ortl  Amherst,  finding  their  way 
to  Montreal;  in  I)e  ^'audreuil  surrendering  all  Canada;  and  in 
our  hcr<»,  Colonel  Peter  Schuyler,  entering  victoriously  the  city, 
and  seeing  the  flag  of  St,  George  float  in  glorious  triumph  on  the 
very  gat<>s  which  but  a  short  time  before  had  kept  liim  in 
captivity,  ft  need  hardly  be  said  that  ])eace  soon  followed,  though 
the  treaty  for  the  same  was  not  signed  till  November,  1  76'2.  On 
the  ca|)itulation  of  Canada,  Colonel  Schuyler  immediately  returned 
to  his  home  on  the  banks  of  the  Passaic,  where  after  a  brief  rest, 
he  died,  March  7,  1762,  in  the  tifty-second  year  of  his  age; 
leaving  behind  him  a  reputation  for  loyalty,  bravery,  benevolence 
and  chivalrous  lionoi",  unexcelled  by  any  who  had  been  engaged  in 
the  conflict  now  tr'Mraphantly  closed. 

In  person,  Colonel  Schuyler  was  tall  and  hardy,  rather  rough  it 
may  be  at  flrst  view,  yet,  after  a  little  acqaintance  revealing  deep 
and  genuine  sincerity.  In  conversation,  he  was  above  all  artifice, 
or  the  traffic  of  forms;  yet  he  enjoyed  friendshi])  with  a  true 
relish,  and  in  all  the  relations,  what  he  seemed  to  be,  he  was.  A 
newspaper  of  the  day  concludes  its  reference  to  his  character  in 
these  words:  "Wherefore,  by  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them." 

Such,  friends  and  fellow-citizens,  is  a  rapid  outline  of  the  man, 
and  of  his  relation  to  our  country,  for  whom  this  old  Fort  was 
called ;  nor  could  it  have  received  a  name  more  honorable,  or  one 
that  coidd  awaken  throughout  the  entire  country  more  real, 
genuine  love  and  enthusiasm.  It  may  have  been,  some  officer 
gave  it  this  name  because  Colonel  Schuyler  had  ransomed  him, 
and  thus  returned  him  to  his  home.  Pe  this,  however,  as  it  may, 
it  was  the  tribute  of  the  province  to  a  bold,  brave,  determined, 
kind  and  faithful  soldier  and  citizen.  I  greatly  rejoice  that  our 
loved  city  has  blended  with  its  origin  a  name  so  noble  and  so 
historic,  and  one  '^o  free  from  stain  and  reproach,  that  other 
generations,  as  well  as  our  own,  will  delight  to  respect  and  invest 
it  with  that  accumulating  glory  which  at  all  periods  is  so  fully  its 
due. 

I  have  dwelt  too  long  upon  the  events  with  which  Colonel 
Schuyler  was  associated  to  think  of  commenting  upon  the  sug- 
gestivenesB  of  the  exercises  in  which  we  are  now  engaged.  There 
come  to  me  thoughts  upon  which  I  should  love  to  dwell,  and  that 


3ft 


never  can  be  too  frequently  alluded  to,  or  too  plainly  expressed. 
My  friends,  we  but  too  feebly  estimate  the  struggle  in  which 
many  of  our  honored  sires  were  engaged,  the  price,  the  fearful 
price,  that  has  been  paid  for  our  country's  liberties,  and  the  great 
courage,  devotion  and  sacrifice  they  represent.  A  nation 
knows  nothing  of  abiding  peace  till  nerve,  muscle,  heart,  soul,  all 
we  hold  most  dear,  have  been  taxed  to  their  utmost,  and  its  altars 
have  been  made  crimson  with  blood.  Under  a  benignant  and 
overruling  providence,  the  peace  and  prosperity  we  this  day  enjoy 
<5ome  from  the  zeal,  faith,  courage,  consecration  and  suffering  of 
those  who  have  gone  before.  In  this  world,  beautiful  as  it  is, 
peacefjl  acres  represent  the  price  of  blood.  Would  to  (Jod  that 
we  might  remember  this  truth,  not  for  vain  glory  but  to  honor 
such  as  we  tiiis  day  recall,  to  thank,  to  reward,  to  perpetuate.  I 
trust  that  the  linie  has  forever  passed  when  the  tread  of  marshalled 
men  shall  again  shake  this  continent,  and  this  beautiful  valley 
shall  again  resound  with  the  notes  of  war,  either  for  aggression  or 
defense.  Our  inheritance  to-day  is  peace.  Being  therefore  peace, 
our  only  ambition  should  be  to  keep  it,  guard  it  most  jealously 
and  sacredly;  to  be  known  and  I'omembered  for  the  multitude  of 
our  virtues,  and  for  the  noble  aspirations  of  sanctified  and 
cultivated  genius.  And  the  more  so,  since  to  attain  this  no  city 
need  be  sacked,  no  fields  devasted,  nor  blood  sIumI,  not  even  a  tear 
fall.  Next  to  suffering  and  dying  for  freedom,  is  the  noble  duty 
to  preserve  it.  The  old  Jewish  rabbi  was  right  when  lie  sai<l  that, 
were  the  sea  ink  and  the  1  jiid  parchment,  the  former  could  not  bo 
able  to  describe,  nor  the  latter  to  comprise  all  the  praise  of  liberty. 
Liberty  is  tlie  mother  of  every  virtue  and  the  best  nurse  of 
genius.  The  immortal  Burke,  in  one  of  his  impassioned  sentences, 
asks,  wliat  is  liberty  without  wisdom  and  without  virtue?  We 
answer  it  is  nothing.  It  is  a  vessel  without  a  rudder,  a  charter 
without  a  seal.  Virtuous  libL'rty  should  be  our  aim,*as  it  has  been 
the  desire  of  all  wiio  have  coveted  its  wealth,  and  who  have 
sought  its  establishment.  P^very  country  thai  submits  to  be  a 
land  of  slaves,  <leserves  to  be  a  land  of  ruin.  An  Itali;in  poet 
once  signalized  his  love  of  imperial  Rome  in  these  noble  words: 
"  Eternal  gods !  may  ti)at  day  be  the  last  on  which  I  forget  the 
happiness  of  Home.'"  So  should  we  think,  and  so  should  we  say. 
He  who  is  unwilling  to  imperil  his  life,  if  need  be,  at  the  summons 
of  holy  freedom,  does  not  merit  life.  He  who  sincerely  loves  his 
country  leaves  the  fragrance  of  a  good  name  to  many  ages.  But 
I  can  not  say  what  I  would.     I  close,  then,  by  remarking  that  it 


n^ 


24 


W& 


Hi; 
I: 


is  written  of  Cicero,  when  he  arrived  at  Atbeu8,  he  desired  to  bo 
immediately  led  to  the  tomb  of  Archimedes,  no  doubt  to  abandon 
himself  to  the  inspirations  which  such  a  classic  spot  would  so 
naturally  excite.  Let  me  say,  however,  at  this  hour,  to  all  such  as 
desire  to  lend  themselves  to  the  higher  inspirations  of  valor, 
courage,  faithfulness,  zeal,  philanthropy  and  all  that  goes  to  make 
up  the  honored  citizen,  the  noble  patriot,  the  brave  soldier,  the 
modest  and  unassuming  philanthropist,  eon'o  and  visit  this 
triangular  site;  and  as  you  walk  about  its  grassy  sides,  and  fe^TO 
upon  these  warlike  trophies  that  are  to  mark  it,  remeniber,  it  i' 
thus  that  a  grateful  people  would  hallow  the  memory  of  their  triei 
servants ;  atid  especially,  that  this  city  would  forever  embalm  lA 
her  purest  affections  and  patriotic  memories  the  name  of  Colonel 
Peler  Schuyler;  he  for  whom  its  first  structure  was  called,  and 
which  had  it  received  his  good  old  Dutch  name  would  have  stin-ed 
the  proudest  remembrances  in  every  loyal  heart,  and  such,  in  truth, 
as  no  African  city,  though  rich  in  narrative  and  radiant  with 
classic  lame  and  glory,  could  possibly  awaken. 

One  more  period  and  I  shall  have  finished.  As  a  most  fitting 
sequel  to  my  remarks,  and  to  commemorate  also  this  happy 
occasion,  tliere  will  now  be  flung  to  the  breeze  the  first  flag,  bear- 
ing on  a  swan  white  field  the  original  State  arms,  as  reconstructed 
under  the  laws  of  1882,  and  now  the  adopted  insignia  and  banner  of 
our  noble  commonwealth.  As  it  rises  up  yonder  stafl",  and 
unfolds  itself  to  be  caught  and  waved  and  kissed  again  and  again 
by  the  j)as8ing  wind,  let  it  receive  with  its  suggestive  emblems, 
that  joyful  salutation  from  you  and  from  me  also,  which  its  first 
appearance  in  our  midst,  and  among  the  broad  acres  in  our  State, 
80  projierly  merits.  > 

Hail  imperial  Banner  !  speed  thy  virgia  way, 
Utica  first  doth  greet  thee — this  thy  bridal  day. 

Tne  benediction  was  pronounced  by  Rev.  J.  J.  Emmegahbowh, 
an  Ojibway  Indian  missionary,  in  his  native  tongue. 


''.)■• 


*"'i .  » ' 


